Kapolei Welcomes the Hawaiian Steel Guitar

March 20, 2017 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

Ka Makana Ali'i, Hawai'i's newest shopping destination in Kapolei, West Oah'u, was the venue for the First Annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali'i on March 18, 2017 from 1-5 PM. The festival was presented at the center's outdoor open stage under clear and sunny skies to an enthusiastic audience.

Steel guitarist Alan Akaka was the festival?s emcee. Steel Guitar Festivals emcee Kimo Kahoano was not able to host the event because of a conflict.

Appearing at this festival were steel guitar masters Alan Akaka, Jeff Au Hoy, Bobby Ingano, and Greg Sardinha with his group Po'okela. Greg featured Chinese erhu virtuosso Tsun Hui Hung in his segment. This was a unique blend of the Hawaiian steel guitar and the erhu, a two-stringed instrument played with a bow, sometimes referred to as a "Chinese violiln." Also performing at the festival were Next generation steel guitar students Joey, 11, and Alexis, 18, from the Ke Kula Mele Hawaii School of Hawaiian Music, backed by the Ke Kula Mele ensemble.

The festival concluded with a jam session featuring most of the festival's performers. Jeff Au Hoy was not able to participate because of another engagement.

The Ka Makana Ali'i festival is one of several steel guitar festivals that will be presented at community oriented venues that are easy to reach and offer free parking among other amenities. The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at the Windward Mall in Kane'ohe will be presented on June 11, 2017, and additonal community festivals are under consideration.

Photo Credits: All photos pc-Don Touchi.
Photo 1 - Ka Makana Ali'i Musicians: Jeff Au Hoy, Greg Sardinha, Adam Asing, Alexis Tolentino, Kaipo Asing, Bobby Ingano, and Alan Akaka.
Photo 2 - Left Panel: Alexis Tolentino with the center's event poster. Middle Panel: Erhu virtuosso Tsun Hui Hung. Right Panel: Adam Asing, Alan Akaka, and Kaipo Asing.
Photo 3 - Finale jam session. From left: Zachary Castro, Alan Akaka, Tsun Hui Hung, Greg Sardinha, Alexis Tolentino, Bobby Ingano.